The West Edge Gallery, 725 Milam St, is closing. West Edge Artists Co-op will focus on expanding their Citywide Gallery Program, says Debbie Engle.
Managing the expansion will be Citywide Gallery Program director Danielle Reans. Also on the agenda: fine-tuning the online presence.
WEACo member Leonard Maiden said, “We are trimming the fat.”
Membership dues will be reduced. WEACo will continue to serve in marketing, networking, education and exhibits for its members.
Monthly membership meetings will continue on first Mondays, and will take place at the Bossier Arts Council Annex. "Thanks to Richard Folmer, Anne Susman and the BAC Board of Directors for their generosity," says Engle.
All artwork will be removed from the gallery by Sunday, July 15.
Debbie Engle, President
Theresa Ratcliff, Treasurer
Ladonna Hughes, Vice President
Pam Rowell. Secretary
Michael Parker, Executive Director
As a person who watched the many events produced by West Edge artists at 725 Milam, I have to say it was a stimulating and successful year. The numerous art shows, speakers and mixers brought an edge of cultural pursuit typical of a bigger city.
One of the things I liked about West Edge gallery was the variety of artistic levels mingled in the 2 story space. Highly-accomplished painters such as Ellen Soffer, Jane Heggen and Michael G Moore showed alongside those in the early stages of exploring their talent. Art by handicapped people using art as therapy was also presented.
Then there were the Leftist speakers and literary events presented by Michael Parker. At times it almost felt like 1971.
Shreveport is richer for the artistic mining pursued by the diggers above. I will miss the art and the crew that hung at 725 Milam.
1 comment:
Robert,
Thanks for the kind words. Remember, we aren't going anywhere! You won't miss us at all. As a matter fact, you'll see even more of us.
The gallery was closed because we were and are more successful with the Citywide Gallery Program, and like any savvy group of entrepreneurs, we're focusing on what is the most successful for us.
This is not a bad thing. In fact, we've sold a ton of art and have made friends all over the area in very important positions for an up-and-coming art entity. Through the Citywide Gallery Program.
Now that we're liberated from the (clears throat) somewhat pricey (in my personal opinion - I don't speak for anyone else) rent and overhead of the gallery, we can get all that great art you saw on those walls into higher traffic locations, on the walls of restaurants, the Robinson Film Center, the American Rose Center, etc., at no cost to us, the artists. That's very cool, and very innovative.
We'll still have events, just not in the four walls of 725 Milam. Our website will soon feature an online gallery, where the world will be able to shop for the art.
So don't go thinking we're going away. We're just growing in a whole new style.
See you,
Tony Reans
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